State Theatre New Jersey presents "Mean Girls"

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents Mean Girls, the record-breaking new musical comedy adapted from the hit Paramount Pictures film with four performances May 11-12, 2024. Direct from Broadway, Mean Girls is the hilarious hit musical from an award-winning creative team, including book writer Tina Fey (30 Rock), composer Jeff Richmond (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt), lyricist Nell Benjamin (Legally Blonde), and director Casey Nicholas (The Book of Mormon).

The Growing Stage presents the 2024 New Play-Reading Festival

(NETCONG, NJ) -- The Growing Stage: The Children's Theatre of New Jersey, located in the Historic Palace Theatre on Route 183 in Netcong, New Jersey is thrilled to present the four finalists for their New Play-Reading Festival (April 26-28). The 2024 finalists include Bug & Junior: An Unfairytale by Ann Eskridge; Her-Cules by Matthew Hanf; Her Beautiful Sound by Cris Eli Blak; and Little Things by Bonnie Gleicher & Brandon Michael Lowden.  The New Play-Reading Festival is curated by Danny Campos, The Growing Stage's veteran actor and teaching artist.

American Theater Group presents the World Premiere of "Canned Goods" by Erik Kahn

(RAHWAY, NJ) -- American Theater Group (ATG) presents the world premiere of the provocative new play, Canned Goods, by Erik Kahn, May 9-11 at Hamilton Stage in Rahway and May 16-19 at the Sieminski Theater in Basking Ridge. Canned Goods is a historical drama about the little-known incident which contributed to the launch of World War II. NY-based Director Charlotte Cohn will helm the production.

This Week in Theatre: Previews for Plays Taking Place April 16-23, 2024

Here are previews of plays taking place from April 16-23, 2024 including a look at productions currently being presented and those coming soon. Click on the title to go to the full preview. New Jersey Stage covers Equity, community, college, and high school theatre. Check back every week for the weekly theatre preview.

Let the Sunshine In! "Hair" is coming to CDC Theatre in Cranford

(CRANFORD, NJ) -- The American classic rock-musical Hair, the final production of the 105th season at CDC Theatre, celebrates the sixties counterculture in all its barefoot, long-haired, bell-bottomed, beaded and fringed glory. To an infectiously energetic rock beat, the show wows audiences with songs like "Aquarius," "Good Morning, Starshine," "Hair," "I Got Life" and "Let The Sunshine In." Exploring ideas of identity, community, global responsibility and peace, Hair remains as relevant as ever as it examines what it means to be a young person in a changing world.

Jersey Arts Podcast: Jonathan Larson's "Tick Tick... BOOM!" Rocks George Street Playhouse

by Gina Marie Rodriguez, JerseyArts.com - published 2024-04-11
Musical theater nerds can rejoice, George Street Playhouse is bringing back "Tick Tick... BOOM!," the posthumously produced musical by Jonathan Larson, best known for having written the widely known rock opera, "Rent."

PHOTOS from "A New Brain" at Old Library Theatre

by John Posada - published 2024-04-11
(FAIR LAWN, NJ) -- Old Library Theatre (OLT) is presenting the musical, A New Brain, over two weekends from April 12- 21, 2024. Created by Tony Award-winning composer and lyricist William Finn and playwright James Lapine, this is an unexpectedly funny show that gives a glimpse into the inner world of Gordon Michael Schwinn (played by Patrick Dwyer), a frustrated composer for a children's television show. Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.

From Maplewood to Broadway: An Exclusive Interview with Actor Mark Jacoby of A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical

by Ilana Rapp - published 2024-04-10
We're thrilled to shine a spotlight on the immensely talented actor, Mark Jacoby, who is currently captivating audiences on Broadway in A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical. Set against the backdrop of the iconic Broadhurst Theatre, this musical extravaganza has been the talk of the town since its debut, and Marc's performance is a significant highlight. The show is closing June 30, 2024, so be sure to secure your tickets here!

PHOTOS from "Gun & Powder" at Paper Mill Playhouse

(MILLBURN, NJ) -- Paper Mill Playhouse is presenting Gun & Powder through May 5, 2024. The new musical features book and lyrics by Angelica Chéri and music by Ross Baum. Directed by Stevie Walker-Webb, choreographed by Tiffany Rea-Fisher and music directed by Austin Cook, Gun & Powder is inspired by the true story of Mary (Renée) and Martha Clarke (LaFontaine), African American twin sisters who take extraordinary measures to settle their mother's sharecropper debt and save her home. Photographers Evan Zimmerman and Jeremy Daniel were on hand to take photos.